Unfortunately none of us suffering form RA want to be taking medicine but this is kind of a necessary evil. I cringe when i think of what I am putting in my body but I also know that without the medicine i could be in a wheel chair from the destruction to my joints from the RA. I know it stinks but you will feel so much better when yuou do start the meds. I can honestly say the Methotrexate has changed my life, I was in so much pain when not taking the medicine that I can't imagine going back to living without the methotrexate. So don't be scared or nervous this gives you back some control over your life and how you want to feel!
I hope you have great results

I used to be on 25 mg methotrexate and it really did work wonders for me, pain gone pretty much altogether Never had the enbrel injections but hopefully you'll be feeling tonnes better when you start with the meds!

And just remember that if one type of drug isnt good for you then there's always other options? I had to come off methotrexate (my stomach just wouldnt keep it down, sorry for the info overload!) but my docotor put me on something different and this is helping almost as well as the mtx did!

Good luck!

I'm sorry you had to change your meds away from Enbrel! It works fairly good for me if I don't miss an injection! I was on MTX and did not find relief! If my next set of labs still shows inflammation then a second med will be added!! I have to watch my salt like a hawk! My last flair made me gain 14 pounds! I lost it 2x over too and still gained 14 till the shots kicked in! Plus a burst of Prednisone! Now I watch all of it. I cannot handle losing 14 lbs 3 times and having to start all over!

Anyone else swell worse with salt?? I mean joint swelling past your norm while on shots??

Candy Monster, did you take Methotrexate by mouth?? I had it by injection only but it did not change my pain by itself. Maybe if they add it back along with my Enbrel I will get better relief!

Also for anyone, Have you ever had all the flair in just one area of the body? My last flair was all in my neck and back! the doc was very surprised too! Weird and did it hurt!! I was DX(diagnosed) 3 years ago! So far Enbrel and a Fentanyl Patch!

Chauncy Renee' I was so scared of the shots and what the side effects can do I quit my medicine altogether! It resulted in the worst pain of my life! the shots are worth it to stop the damage and the pain! Best wishes to you in your quest for wellness!

To all of you sweet Ninjas Best Wishes in Your Journey To Wellness!

Chauncyrenay, I had fatigue on MTX too and slept a lot! I do much better on Enbrel but if I have to rely on medicare alone that drug will go out the window! I took the MTX with shots. When I switched to Enbrel it was not a problem!
I hope you get your strength back soon and the meds settle down!

All of you fabulous lady Ninjas can add me as a friend anytime! Going through RA is bad enough we need to stick together! Losing weight can only help take stress off the joints! Hang in there!

Donna Thiemann (LovesAmgels)

I am on Plaquenyl (an anti-malarial drug that they found helps with RA and with Fibromyalghia, as an anti-inflamatory). I also push olive oil (omega 3s) and lots of movement and stretching. I have to stay away from tylenol, aspirin, and other anti-inflammatories with this med.) This process works well for me. Hugs to all of you.

I am on a low dose of Methotrexate and prednisone. I was okay with the nausea from the Methotrexate because the doc also gave me some nausea meds. I take it later in the day and sleep most of the nausea off. A lot of people will give you their opinions about the meds that we take, but we are the ones that are suffering with this disease. It's so nice to have a support group like this of people who really understand what we are going through. Good luck and keep us posted on how you are feeling.

Unfortunately none of us suffering form RA want to be taking medicine but this is kind of a necessary evil.

Interesting so many are on meds. I opted out for now. I'm already a very high cancer and infection risk as well as a high osteoporosis risk (so no injections either). I opted for a low dose anti-inflamatory only when needed, omega 3, and joint support as well as a strict diet with heavy lifting. I think it's a very personal choice how one wants to care for thier own body. Either choice is "right" for them. Anyone on it more than 5yrs have issues such as infections, cancer?

I'm 2 years plus and no problems. For me there was no choice, RA completely disabled me in less than three months from diagnosis. I went from just some aches and migratory joint pain, to not being able to walk, dress, use the bathroom, blow my nose, or even just move a part of my body to try to relieve the pain. I couldn't brush my long hair and had to cut it short. I couldn't brush my teeth or use a knife and fork. Sometimes my husband had to feed me because I couldn't bring a spoon to my mouth. I started methotrexate the day I was diagnosed but it was the biologics that gave me my life back. By the time my doctor was explaining to me the risks of Humira, I didn't care- I was in so much constant extreme pain that I would have tried anything regardless of side effects.

I'm glad your regime works for you, if I'd held off I'd have major joint damage by now and my chances for getting the RA controlled would be far less than when I was in 'early RA' stage.